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2008 NFL Draft: Dan Pompei's top centers
By Dan Pompei | Tribune staff reporter
April 15, 2009
1. Alex Mack, California
A power center who can set the tempo for the line with his nasty temperament. Mack plays aggressively and finishes his blocks. He has a thick lower body and uses leverage well. He has good hand punch and quick enough feet. Some also see him as a potential guard.
2. Max Unger, Oregon
At 6-5, 305, he is as versatile as any player in the draft and can play center, guard and tackle. Unger would fit best in a zone scheme that utilizes movement. He can pull and make blocks on the second level. He is not exceptionally strong but uses good technique, plays smart and finishes his blocks.
3. Eric Wood, Louisville
A team captain who started 49 straight games, Wood should be an NFL starter for a long time on the strength of his intangibles, consistency and athleticism. He has good hand use and is fundamentally sound. He didn't have a great Senior Bowl, but he had an impressive combine.
4. Antoine Caldwell, Alabama
He has a nice combination of size, strength and quickness. He is competitive and tough but less effective in space. He shows good recognition skills. Some teams see him as a potential guard.
5. Jonathan Luigs, Arkansas
An athletic four-year starter who moves well, Luigs would fit in a zone-blocking scheme. He is smart enough to make adjustments on the line. Luigs doesn't get great movement in the run game and lacks ideal lower body strength.
6. Jon Cooper, Oklahoma
He may be undersized at 6-2, 290 but fights like a junkyard dog. Cooper is tough, smart and durable. He has problems against big nose tackles and will struggle in one-on-one pass protection.
7. Robby Felix, Texas- El Paso
A tough, scrappy blocker with some athleticism, Felix plays with good balance. He can make the adjustments on the line. He has weight-room strength but does not play with a lot of power, and even at 6-3, 302, he could be bigger.
8. A.Q. Shipley, Penn State
He has short arms but gets the job done. He has some explosive strength. Plays smart. Got some notice with a fine combine workout but doesn't play as well as he tested. His lack of girth at 6-1, 304 will be an issue.
9. Rob Bruggeman, Iowa
A tough center who is fundamentally sound, Bruggeman is a blue-collar player. He is not real big or strong at 6-4, 295, but he has enough athleticism to get by.
10. Edwin Williams, Maryland
He has the dimensions at 6-3, 315, the toughness and the balance to warrant a look. He plays with awareness but is not a top athlete, and his lack of quickness could hurt.
11. Alex Fletcher, Stanford
Fletcher isn't the biggest center at 6-3, 296, but he is tough and intelligent. He can get blown out by a strong nose tackle and doesn't have the technique to cope with quick pass rushers. He also has experience at guard.
By Dan Pompei | Tribune staff reporter
April 15, 2009
1. Alex Mack, California
A power center who can set the tempo for the line with his nasty temperament. Mack plays aggressively and finishes his blocks. He has a thick lower body and uses leverage well. He has good hand punch and quick enough feet. Some also see him as a potential guard.
2. Max Unger, Oregon
At 6-5, 305, he is as versatile as any player in the draft and can play center, guard and tackle. Unger would fit best in a zone scheme that utilizes movement. He can pull and make blocks on the second level. He is not exceptionally strong but uses good technique, plays smart and finishes his blocks.
3. Eric Wood, Louisville
A team captain who started 49 straight games, Wood should be an NFL starter for a long time on the strength of his intangibles, consistency and athleticism. He has good hand use and is fundamentally sound. He didn't have a great Senior Bowl, but he had an impressive combine.
4. Antoine Caldwell, Alabama
He has a nice combination of size, strength and quickness. He is competitive and tough but less effective in space. He shows good recognition skills. Some teams see him as a potential guard.
5. Jonathan Luigs, Arkansas
An athletic four-year starter who moves well, Luigs would fit in a zone-blocking scheme. He is smart enough to make adjustments on the line. Luigs doesn't get great movement in the run game and lacks ideal lower body strength.
6. Jon Cooper, Oklahoma
He may be undersized at 6-2, 290 but fights like a junkyard dog. Cooper is tough, smart and durable. He has problems against big nose tackles and will struggle in one-on-one pass protection.
7. Robby Felix, Texas- El Paso
A tough, scrappy blocker with some athleticism, Felix plays with good balance. He can make the adjustments on the line. He has weight-room strength but does not play with a lot of power, and even at 6-3, 302, he could be bigger.
8. A.Q. Shipley, Penn State
He has short arms but gets the job done. He has some explosive strength. Plays smart. Got some notice with a fine combine workout but doesn't play as well as he tested. His lack of girth at 6-1, 304 will be an issue.
9. Rob Bruggeman, Iowa
A tough center who is fundamentally sound, Bruggeman is a blue-collar player. He is not real big or strong at 6-4, 295, but he has enough athleticism to get by.
10. Edwin Williams, Maryland
He has the dimensions at 6-3, 315, the toughness and the balance to warrant a look. He plays with awareness but is not a top athlete, and his lack of quickness could hurt.
11. Alex Fletcher, Stanford
Fletcher isn't the biggest center at 6-3, 296, but he is tough and intelligent. He can get blown out by a strong nose tackle and doesn't have the technique to cope with quick pass rushers. He also has experience at guard.